Ikemire: Late Property Taxes Not City's Fault

If you’re frustrated you haven’t received your Wabash County real estate tax bill yet, you’re not alone. At Monday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, finance commissioner Eric Ikemire wants you to know the delay in mailing out tax statements isn’t the city’s fault…

Ikemire said he empathizes with anxious taxpayers…

Ikemire’s comments came after he said he had several people question him asking why the property tax bills hadn’t been mailed yet this year.

For the county’s part, County clerk Janet Will said the tax statements are expected to be printed this week. A conversion to a new software program is the culprit for the lateness of the tax statements.

MCHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT CHRISTMAS CAROLING FUNDRAISER

CAROLTUNES

Send our group to a friend or loved one’s front door to sing & bring them a little Christmas Cheer!!

 

December 12, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

$25.00

Christmas Caroling Fundraiser

Socially distanced, of course!

Limited Timeslots will be available and will be sold until filled

To Schedule and Purchase >> CLICK HERE <<

Order form can also be found on MCHS website

Please email Kim Mandrell, MCHS Music Director at kmandrell@wabash348.com if you have any questions

Owensville Woman Arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Methamphetamine

Gibson County – Last night at approximately 8:45, Trooper Vennekotter stopped the driver of a 2001 Jeep Cherokee for failing to signal properly at the intersection of South Main Street and East Strain Street in Fort Branch. The driver was identified as Tara Leigh Crowley, 35, of Owensville. During the traffic stop, Crowley displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Crowley was transported to Gibson General Hospital where further investigation revealed she was under the influence of methamphetamine. Crowley was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charge:

• Tara Leigh Crowley, 35, Owensville, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (Methamphetamine), Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Alex Vennekotter, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Jordan Lee, Indiana State Police

IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Recap

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, November 17th at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois, and approved the schedule of regular meetings for calendar year 2021.

Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 7 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College    

            Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, August 17, 2021, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 7 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            The 2020 Annual Security Report was approved by Trustees.  The Annual Security Report contains crime information for the past three years, relevant policy statements, and training and educational programming related to campus safety and security, crime prevention, alcohol and drug use, and sexual misconduct.

            Trustees approved revisions to the business policy that outlines the methodical selection of audit firms for the District.    

Approval was given for an agreement between IECC and Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.  The agreement will allow Olney Central College students to access multiple Carle sites.  The programs covered in the agreement include Medical Coding, Health Information Technology, Medical Office Assistant, Office Administration, and Human Resource Associate.   

In a continued effort to accommodate student learning during the COVID 19 pandemic, trustees approved the recommendation to repeal the Online/Hybrid Course Fee for hybrid delivery courses only for the Spring 2021 term. 

The Bid Committee recommendation for the bid received from Pocket Nurse for a total of $27,328.69 was approved for the purchase of a nursing simulator manikin.  The training equipment will be utilized by the Nursing Program at Frontier.

            The Board approved the District’s Annual Financial Report.  It will now be published locally and filed with the Illinois Community College Board. 

            The Board passed a resolution to accept the results of the annual audit.  The audit will now be forwarded to the Illinois Community College Board as required. 

The Board of Trustees adopted the annual resolution establishing the guidelines for the District’s estimated tax levy and approved a resolution establishing the District’s estimated tax levy.  The Board certified the district’s tentative levies for the 2020 year.   A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, District No. 529 for 2020 will be held on December 8, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.

Revisions were approved for testing of students to determine their English language proficiency. 

The holiday calendar for administrative, technical, professional non-faculty, clerical and maintenance personnel was approved for calendar year 2021.

The Board approved the selection of Martin Hood for audit and other professional services.

Carrie Hallam was employed as Information Technology Trainer and Support at the District Office, effective November 18, 2020.

            A change of status was approved for Alyssa Maglone, Coordinator of Curricular Reporting & Articulation at the District Office to Assistant Dean of Academic Services at the District Office, effective January 5, 2021; and a change was approved for Jacquelyn Shamhart from Administrative Assistant to the Dean to Administrative Assistant to the Dean and President at Lincoln Trail College.

Resignations were approved for Joseph Lampley as Workforce Education Instructor, effective November 28, 2020; and for Kimberly Venters as Administrative Assistant at Frontier Community College, effective November 12, 2020. 

            Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.    

Thompson And Goldman Say Their Good-Bye's At County Board Meeting

A day of goodbyes at Monday’s Wabash County Board of Commissioners meeting. It was the last official meeting for six-year commissioner Robbie Thompson, who did not run for re-election.. 

 Thompson will be replaced by Scott West, who will be sworn in on December 1st at 9am.

Also saying goodbye was State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman, who has served for 12 years but did not run for a fourth term in office…. 

Goldman will be replaced by Kelli Storckman, who will also be sworn in on December 1st. Goldman said she and Storckman has been meeting to insure a smooth transition. 

For the record, Thompson’s last meeting has not ended yet. It is recessed until November 30th when commissioners will gather to adopt a budget for the fiscal year beginning December 1st. 

WIFI CAFES AVAILABLE AT MCHS AND MCGS DURING FULL REMOTE LEARN DAYS

WiFi Cafes 

The WiFi Cafes continue to be available during full remote learning days.

They are located at the Mt. Carmel Grade School and Mt. Carmel High School.  These ‘cafes’ will have accommodations for up to forty students at a time.  Students may select from a morning option (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) or the afternoon option (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.).  The Cafes are open for students in grades 3-12.  Students that attend the Cafes will have to bring their own school-issued or personal computing devices and any other school work materials.  While at the Cafes, the students will be required to follow all student handbook requirements and any other additional building requirements.  Students will enter the Jr/Sr. High School at the main entrance and students will enter the Grade School at the gym entrance.  Additionally, students will be required to have a temperature check, wear a face covering, and practice social distancing.  The Cafes will also provide snacks and water along with lunch.  

For WiFi Cafes located at Mount Carmel Jr./Sr.High School and Mount Carmel Grade School please contact Aaron Croft by email: acroft@wabash348.com or phone: (618)-262-5104.

Transportation Is Available:

For those students that need transportation to the Cafes, the District will offer bus transportation to and from the Cafes.  Buses will be available for both AM and PM sections.  If you need bus transportation, you will need to call 618-262-8539 between the hours of 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to make arrangements.

Mt. Carmel High School Library

Mt. Carmel High School Library

Oakland City man arrested on drug charges

On November 17, 2020, at 1:16 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Red 2009 Chevy Cobalt in the 12000 block of East County Road 75 South near the Pike and Gibson County Line. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 33-year-old Zackery Miller of Oakland City. During a roadside investigation Deputy Naas determined that Mr. Miller was operating his vehicle while not possessing a valid Indiana Operators license. Further during the investigation Methamphetamines and Drug Paraphernalia were found on the driver. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Naas placed Mr. Miller into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Miller was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was also issued a citation for not possessing a valid license. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.

Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith and Oakland City Police Officer Grant Fulkerson.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Marion County Wreck Injures One

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US Route 50 at West Line Road, just East of Odin, Marion County

WHEN:                      Nov. 17, 2020 at 3:39 p.m.         

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2002 White Volvo Truck Tractor Grain Trailer Combination

                                    Unit 2- 1999 Black GMC Truck

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Sam Siddell, 62-year-old male from Carlyle, IL - Uninjured

                                    Unit 2- Jimmi Rice, 26-year-old female from Odin, IL - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.   

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both traveling east on US Route 50 at West Line Road, just east of Odin. in Marion County. Unit 2 stopped, waiting to turn left onto West Line Road. The driver of Unit 1 failed to slow down and struck the rear of Unit 2. The driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of Unit 1 was uninjured.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Two Injured In Early Morning I-70 Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 Westbound at Milepost 91.5, Effingham County

WHEN:                      Nov. 18, 2020 at 5:05 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2017 Yellow Volvo Truck Tractor Semi Trailer Combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Markell McCottrell, 37-year-old male from St. Louis, MO – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

PASSENGER:           Unit 1- Christopher Lindsey, 41-year-old male from St. Louis, MO – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling west on Interstate 70 near milepost 91 in Effingham County. The driver of Unit 1 ran off the roadway to the left and struck a guardrail. Unit 1 then entered the median and overturned, striking an IDOT overhead message board. Both Unit 1 driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Improper Lane Usage and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle.

MCGS 3rd Grade Teacher Amanda Singer Selected As Outstanding Educator

Congratulations to Mt. Carmel Grade School 3rd Grade Teacher, Amanda Singer!!

Mrs. Singer has been selected as a 2020 McDonald’s “Teach it Forward” Outstanding Educator.  She was selected from 881 nominations from the surrounding area and will receive a $100 Visa gift card, an Outstanding Educator T-shirt and 25 customizable certificates plus McDonald’s Coupons to “Teach It Forward” (aka pay it forward) for outstanding student achievements.